A football coach who had a near-fatal stroke wants to go to America to have the same treatment that helped broadcaster Andrew Marr.

Former Airdrie head coach Eddie Wolecki Black says the £10,000 treatment pioneered by Florida-based doctor Edward Tobinick could change his life.

It involves anti-inflammatory drug Etanercept being injected into the spinal fluid while the patient is hanging upside down.

Eddie, 52, and wife Emma learned about the treatment while watching a documentary by Marr, who had a stroke in 2013.

While admitting there hadn’t been dramatic improvements, the journalist said there had been subtle and useful changes to his arm, fingers and ankle.

Dr Edward Tobinick with Andrew Marr (Image: UGC)

Eddie said: “I’m at the stage now where I’ll try anything. If it gave me a one per cent improvement, I’d take that. If it was 100 per cent, I’d be doing cartwheels.

“After we watched the documentary, Emma phoned America and spoke to the doctor. He told her to call back once we’ve got the funds in place and he’ll do a consultation over the phone. It’s to see if I’m eligible to do it or not.”

With the aid of physios, occupational therapists and his own willpower, Eddie was able to get out of his wheelchair for the first time at Christmas.

Eddie admits it took a lot of persuading, and several months, before he agreed. He said: “I’ve never been great for going cap-in-hand to people. I’m usually the other side of the fence trying to raise funds.

“But I’m now so thankful Paul did this. I can’t thank the people who’ve donated enough.”

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Eddie had his stroke on March 5 last year at half-time when Airdrie were playing an away game at Cowdenbeath. Emma, who played 42 times for the Scotland women’s team, was six-months pregnant and at the match in Central Park.

She said: “I was told by a doctor at the Edinburgh Western Infirmary that the next 48 hours were vital – and Eddie might not pull through.

“He eventually got transferred out of intensive care to the stroke unit. He was there for three months and slept most of the time.

“The right side of the brain has been affected so his left side is completely paralysed.”

Eddie was later moved to a local hospital to be nearer the family home in Carnbroe, Coatbridge.

He was discharged two days before Emma had their daughter Sophia on June 1 and witnessed the birth from his wheelchair.

Emma added: “It’s heartbreaking when he’s trying to do stuff for Sophia but can’t.”